Category: Language Arts
The Lorax
We have wrapped up our Seuss unit with reading and having a class discussion on The Lorax. Some students were aware of the story from the movie version. After our discussion the students brainstormed things that the Lorax would say to the Once-ler if he were given the chance.
Students then chose one of these sentences – or created their own – and wrote it on a Truffula tree. These were then decorated, cut out, and are posted on the bulletin board above their ‘What’s Happening in Whoville’ designs.
All in all, I think that the students have enjoyed our time with Dr. Seuss. There are a few more books that I will read (tomorrow or early next week) as a final goodbye.
If I Ran the Zoo – Seuss
We enjoyed the book, “If I Ran the Zoo”, which is about a young boy who finds the typical animals in the zoo just a little too boring for him. He uses his imagination and creates a variety of very Seuss-like animals for his zoo – if he was to have one of his own.
Students made flip books which had 6 typical animal pages and 2 pages where they could create their own outlandish animals. Some students were very innovative with the animals they produced.
These books are pinned to the small bulletin board outside of our hallway door. Check them out if you get by the school!
What’s Happening in Whoville?
After reading “Horton Hears a Who”, students drew scenes of what could be happening in Whoville. These are posted on the bulletin board in the hallway.
Some were scenes that could be found in our hometown; some others were more creative – more Seuss-ish!
Horton Hears a Who
We will be wrapping up our Seuss unit this week as Reading Groups will begin next week.
Today we read Horton Hears a Who. We discussed the main idea which is that everyone deserves to be happy and live a safe and happy life. “A Person’s a Person, No Matter How Small”. After we discussed the story students filled in cards answering specific questions about things they like or would like.
On a Rainy Day We Like to …
In The Cat in the Hat, Sally and Nick are stuck inside their house on a rainy day when the Cat shows up to create some havoc in their lives. As part of our Seuss study we brainstormed a list of things that we like to do when the weather makes it not so much fun to be outside. Students then wrote out two of their ideas on paper umbrellas and decorated them. These are in our classroom on our back bulletin board.
Check them out when you come by for Intake Interviews this week.
Seuss!!!
While we are awaiting the onset of our Reading groups (in a few weeks) we are going to be doing a literary study of the books by Theodore Seuss Geisel – also known as, Dr. Seuss. We will do all sorts of activities around some of his books: writing, predictions, extensions, and artwork. Some activities will be individual and others will be group based.
This week we have begun with the iconic classic, The Cat in the Hat.
We had an extended directed drawing lesson on facial features. Students then created their own faces through their drawing. Hats, in the style of The Cat in the Hat, were made and added to their portraits. These are on our main bulletin in the hallway.
Make sure you check them out when you come by for our Intake Interviews next week!
All About Me Robots
We continued our introspection by doing an autobiographical study and completing a fun ‘robot’ activity. I took photos of the students which were glued in the space for the robot’s head. These are on the bulletin board next to the Office in the hallway.
Our Read Aloud Novel
On Monday we began our daily read aloud: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, by J.K. Rowling. We will read a few pages each day after Planners are done. Reading a chapter book is a great way to encourage active listening and the expansion of the children’s vocabulary through her very descriptive and rich writing. It is a great introduction to hearing stories that are longer and more involved. Novels provide the opportunity to learn delayed gratification (i.e. not having the whole story over in 15 minutes) as well as teaching reflection, prediction, and anticipation. I have a recently released special hardcover edition of the novel which has been illustrated throughout.
When we have completed the novel we will take the opportunity to watch the movie. Through this we will compare the book and the movie through their similarities and differences. Appreciating that most of the movies that we watch originally came from the written books is also a valuable lesson – and hopefully will inspire their love of literature.
Welcome back!!!
It is so nice to have the class decided and to be getting on with our school year!!
I am looking forward to a great year. Please check back to this blog as I regularly post information regarding our class activities and upcoming events for the school.
This first few days we have begun some of our regular routines, and also had a little bit of time to get to know each other through exploration of our Math tubs.
Students also had a bit of time to explore some of the Centre activities we have in our classroom.
While we are awaiting the start of our Reading groups, our class will be doing a unit study on the books of Dr. Seuss. We will be doing lots of fun activities around his books. We are also going to be getting to know each other better via a few activities around the theme of “All About Me”.
Stay tuned …